Topic: Nature
Know Your Island Walk: Horse Trails on Mitchell Hill
Written on September 18, 2018 at 6:16 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
For September’s Know Your Island walk, follow San Juan Islander Theresa Simendinger and her horse Zanzibar on a walk along her favorite trail; the Horse Trails on Mitchell Hill. She will make stops along the way and tell us about building trails for horses, how to share the trail, what it is like to take Continue Reading
Zylstra Lake Preserve Open House
Written on September 16, 2018 at 6:20 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
There will be an Open House at Zylstra Lake Preserve on Sunday September 30 from noon to 4:00 pm, at Zylstra Lake Preserve, San Juan Island… The San Juan County Land Bank and San Juan Preservation Trust board members and staff are hosting an open house at the preserve where you can learn about the project, Continue Reading
Beachwalkers Wanted! COASST Training Session
Written on September 16, 2018 at 6:15 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
On October 13thfrom 11 am to 5 pm, the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) will deliver a free training session in Friday Harbor, WA for citizens interested in surveying for marine debris. The COASST Marine Debris program is focused on the intersection of science, conservation, and communities. Rather than simply identifying debris, the Continue Reading
Mother Nature Loves Friday Harbor
Written on September 15, 2018 at 5:55 am, by Tim Dustrude
Fred Schumacher shares this awesome photo he shot from the air of the sun shining on Friday Harbor. Be sure to click on it to see a larger version. Thanks for sharing Fred! Mother Nature Loves Friday Harbor – Or, at least it looked like it Monday evening from a Kenmore Caravan heading North to Continue Reading
Pub Talk in Bothell on Island Marble Butterfly
Written on September 14, 2018 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
Amy Lambert, lecturer at the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, University of Washington Bothell, will be giving a Pub Night Talk: “Encountering Rarity: Restoring the Endangered Island Marble Butterfly”. Once thought to be extinct, the Island Marble butterfly is making a comeback in the San Juan Islands. Lambert, a conservation biologist, explains why saving the Continue Reading
Save Our Shorelines
Written on September 13, 2018 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Here’s a note from Safe Shippers… Proudly, our San Juan County Council Members recently joined their Canadian counterparts, the Islands Trust Council, in calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to abandon the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project, once and for all. As Safe Shippers well know, if approved, this project would increase tanker traffic by 700% Continue Reading
The Wild Side: Knock on Wood–All About Woodpeckers
Written on September 9, 2018 at 6:20 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
What types of woodpeckers might you see on the San Juan Islands? How can you tell if they are living in your woodland? Join Shona Aitken, Education Coordinator at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehab Center to find out more about these fascinating birds and their important role in our local forests. Refreshments are courtesy Continue Reading
Know Your Island Walk
Written on August 21, 2018 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
Bill Severson with the SJI Trails Committee invites you to this hike next Saturday… Doug McCutchen with the Land Bank will lead us on a walk on Mount Grant. Maybe he can show us progress on the trail system in the Mount Grant preserve. Terrain is moderate mostly on road surfaces. Dogs on leash are Continue Reading
Explore The Salish Sea: A Nature Guide For Kids
Written on August 15, 2018 at 9:47 am, by Tim Dustrude
Griffin Bay Bookstore and the San Juan Island Library are excited to host an evening for both kids and adults. Come out for Joe Gaydos’ lively and inter-active book talk– Explore the Salish Sea: A Nature Guide for Kids— at the Library on Wednesday, August 22, 7:00 pm. This is a book that children and Continue Reading
Sasquatch: Man-Ape or Myth?
Written on August 6, 2018 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
“Sasquatch: Man-Ape or Myth?” with David George Gordon Author and Washington Humanities Speaker David George Gordon evaluates the data gathered about the legendary Northwest icon. David discusses the rules of critical thinking and explains how one can become an effective “citizen scientist” by gathering credible evidence that can be used to substantiate the Sasquatch’s status Continue Reading
First We Mourn; Then We Take Action
Written on July 31, 2018 at 5:55 am, by Tim Dustrude
Safe Shippers and Friends of the San Juans share this with you… Our beloved and endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKWs) suffered another loss this week. The world heard the news of J35’s deceased calf and sent back words of alarm and sympathy to us here in the Salish Sea. We mourn together – Let’s Continue Reading
Mount Grant Preserve
Written on July 25, 2018 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
Here’s a note from the Land Bank regarding Mount Grant Preserve… Access to Mount Grant Preserve is via a private road, Richard Lee Lane, which is off West Valley Road. The current parking area and first 1/5 mile of road are on an easement over privately owned land. The barbed wire fence, floodlights, and security Continue Reading
Keith Keyser to talk on Permaculture
Written on July 20, 2018 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
Islanders can produce an abundance of food for their families while restoring degraded lands and fighting climate change. Tall order, you say? Permaculture designer Keith Keyser will show how it has been done elsewhere and how it can be done here. Join Keyser on Wednesday July 25th at the San Juan Island Grange Hall for Continue Reading
Discover Deadman: An Intertidal Walk
Written on July 10, 2018 at 5:30 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
On Saturday, July 14 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm San Juan County Land Bank invites you to an intertidal walk at Deadman Bay Preserve… There’s more to the West Side of San Juan Island than orcas! Dr. Erika Iyengar, of Muhlenberg College and long-time researcher at the Friday Harbor Laboratories, returns to lead her Continue Reading
Superpod 6: Music and Fun at Lime Kiln Park
Written on July 10, 2018 at 5:20 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
From Erin Corra of FOLKS, Friends of Lime Kiln Society… Join together with supporters of Lime Kiln Point State Park on Thursday, July 19 for a musical evening at our beautiful whale watch park. Bring a picnic and enjoy a sunset tour of the historic lighthouse with friends old and new. Who knows, maybe our Continue Reading
Save Wild Salmon Fundraiser
Written on July 9, 2018 at 5:15 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
Sea Shepherd veteran Peter Jay Brown has founded a new campaign to save wild salmon… Drop in at Mike’s Cafe and Wine Bar and show your support for Wild Salmon Preservation! Celebrate the launch of Gaia Network’s new campaign Wednesday July, 11th 5-9pm! Gaia Network was founded by Sea Shepherd Veteran Peter Jay Brown. Gaia Network’s new Continue Reading
The Land Bank Says Thank You!
Written on June 19, 2018 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Islanders, thank you for “Getting Outdoors” and joining the Land Bank at our Zylstra Lake Preserve Open House last weekend. The response was incredible, with almost 200 visitors over the six-hour event, and on a busy June Saturday to boot! It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the property and to hear the community’s positive Continue Reading
Orca Sing 2018
Written on June 16, 2018 at 5:51 am, by Tim Dustrude
Orca Sing is an annual event where people gather for an evening of music at Lime Kiln Point State Park to honor the Southern Resident orcas. This year’s event is the 19th annual and will take place on Saturday, June 23, beginning at 7 p.m. This year, Fred West and Seattle’s City Cantabile Choir will Continue Reading
Orpha’s Lilacs Before the Bulldozer
Written on June 11, 2018 at 5:54 am, by Tim Dustrude
Those who have been reading the SJ Update for a while may recall a story from 4 years ago this month, “Before the Bulldozer“, describing how Friday Harbor resident Chinmayo saved a cherry tree that was growing on some land that was about to be bulldozed and developed for new construction. Well, she is at Continue Reading
Goldenback Trail
Written on May 27, 2018 at 5:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
National Trails Day Hike: Goldenback Trail Opens Saturday, June 2 at Westside Scenic Preserve, San Juan Island Thanks to the efforts of San Juan County Land Bank volunteers and staff, there is a new hiking trail at the Westside Scenic Preserve on San Juan Island. Join San Juan Island Preserve Steward, Doug McCutchen, and Field Continue Reading
Friends Challenges Army Corps of Engineers
Written on May 25, 2018 at 7:14 am, by Tim Dustrude
Groups Challenge Army Corps of Engineers’ Refusal to Protect Puget Sound Shorelines Corps’ Seattle District violates Clean Water Act, endangers Sound recovery SEATTLE – A lawsuit filed today against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) charges that the agency has refused to assert its Clean Water Act jurisdiction over most shoreline armoring in Puget Continue Reading
Improvements to Local Spill Response Capacity
Written on May 22, 2018 at 5:52 am, by Tim Dustrude
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance local capacity to respond to oil and hazardous materials spills, three San Juan County organizations participated in the 2018 Washington State Department of Ecology Spill Response Grant Program. This program helps local communities that are at risk for oil and hazardous materials spills secure equipment and training to Continue Reading
Know Your Island Walk: Horse Trails on Mitchell Hill
Written on September 18, 2018 at 6:16 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
For September’s Know Your Island walk, follow San Juan Islander Theresa Simendinger and her horse Zanzibar on a walk along her favorite trail; the Horse Trails on Mitchell Hill. She will make stops along the way and tell us about building trails for horses, how to share the trail, what it is like to take Continue Reading
Zylstra Lake Preserve Open House
Written on September 16, 2018 at 6:20 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
There will be an Open House at Zylstra Lake Preserve on Sunday September 30 from noon to 4:00 pm, at Zylstra Lake Preserve, San Juan Island… The San Juan County Land Bank and San Juan Preservation Trust board members and staff are hosting an open house at the preserve where you can learn about the project, Continue Reading
Beachwalkers Wanted! COASST Training Session
Written on September 16, 2018 at 6:15 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
On October 13thfrom 11 am to 5 pm, the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) will deliver a free training session in Friday Harbor, WA for citizens interested in surveying for marine debris. The COASST Marine Debris program is focused on the intersection of science, conservation, and communities. Rather than simply identifying debris, the Continue Reading
Mother Nature Loves Friday Harbor
Written on September 15, 2018 at 5:55 am, by Tim Dustrude
Fred Schumacher shares this awesome photo he shot from the air of the sun shining on Friday Harbor. Be sure to click on it to see a larger version. Thanks for sharing Fred! Mother Nature Loves Friday Harbor – Or, at least it looked like it Monday evening from a Kenmore Caravan heading North to Continue Reading
Pub Talk in Bothell on Island Marble Butterfly
Written on September 14, 2018 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
Amy Lambert, lecturer at the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, University of Washington Bothell, will be giving a Pub Night Talk: “Encountering Rarity: Restoring the Endangered Island Marble Butterfly”. Once thought to be extinct, the Island Marble butterfly is making a comeback in the San Juan Islands. Lambert, a conservation biologist, explains why saving the Continue Reading
Save Our Shorelines
Written on September 13, 2018 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Here’s a note from Safe Shippers… Proudly, our San Juan County Council Members recently joined their Canadian counterparts, the Islands Trust Council, in calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to abandon the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project, once and for all. As Safe Shippers well know, if approved, this project would increase tanker traffic by 700% Continue Reading
The Wild Side: Knock on Wood–All About Woodpeckers
Written on September 9, 2018 at 6:20 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
What types of woodpeckers might you see on the San Juan Islands? How can you tell if they are living in your woodland? Join Shona Aitken, Education Coordinator at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehab Center to find out more about these fascinating birds and their important role in our local forests. Refreshments are courtesy Continue Reading
Know Your Island Walk
Written on August 21, 2018 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
Bill Severson with the SJI Trails Committee invites you to this hike next Saturday… Doug McCutchen with the Land Bank will lead us on a walk on Mount Grant. Maybe he can show us progress on the trail system in the Mount Grant preserve. Terrain is moderate mostly on road surfaces. Dogs on leash are Continue Reading
Explore The Salish Sea: A Nature Guide For Kids
Written on August 15, 2018 at 9:47 am, by Tim Dustrude
Griffin Bay Bookstore and the San Juan Island Library are excited to host an evening for both kids and adults. Come out for Joe Gaydos’ lively and inter-active book talk– Explore the Salish Sea: A Nature Guide for Kids— at the Library on Wednesday, August 22, 7:00 pm. This is a book that children and Continue Reading
Sasquatch: Man-Ape or Myth?
Written on August 6, 2018 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
“Sasquatch: Man-Ape or Myth?” with David George Gordon Author and Washington Humanities Speaker David George Gordon evaluates the data gathered about the legendary Northwest icon. David discusses the rules of critical thinking and explains how one can become an effective “citizen scientist” by gathering credible evidence that can be used to substantiate the Sasquatch’s status Continue Reading
First We Mourn; Then We Take Action
Written on July 31, 2018 at 5:55 am, by Tim Dustrude
Safe Shippers and Friends of the San Juans share this with you… Our beloved and endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKWs) suffered another loss this week. The world heard the news of J35’s deceased calf and sent back words of alarm and sympathy to us here in the Salish Sea. We mourn together – Let’s Continue Reading
Mount Grant Preserve
Written on July 25, 2018 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
Here’s a note from the Land Bank regarding Mount Grant Preserve… Access to Mount Grant Preserve is via a private road, Richard Lee Lane, which is off West Valley Road. The current parking area and first 1/5 mile of road are on an easement over privately owned land. The barbed wire fence, floodlights, and security Continue Reading
Keith Keyser to talk on Permaculture
Written on July 20, 2018 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
Islanders can produce an abundance of food for their families while restoring degraded lands and fighting climate change. Tall order, you say? Permaculture designer Keith Keyser will show how it has been done elsewhere and how it can be done here. Join Keyser on Wednesday July 25th at the San Juan Island Grange Hall for Continue Reading
Discover Deadman: An Intertidal Walk
Written on July 10, 2018 at 5:30 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
On Saturday, July 14 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm San Juan County Land Bank invites you to an intertidal walk at Deadman Bay Preserve… There’s more to the West Side of San Juan Island than orcas! Dr. Erika Iyengar, of Muhlenberg College and long-time researcher at the Friday Harbor Laboratories, returns to lead her Continue Reading
Superpod 6: Music and Fun at Lime Kiln Park
Written on July 10, 2018 at 5:20 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
From Erin Corra of FOLKS, Friends of Lime Kiln Society… Join together with supporters of Lime Kiln Point State Park on Thursday, July 19 for a musical evening at our beautiful whale watch park. Bring a picnic and enjoy a sunset tour of the historic lighthouse with friends old and new. Who knows, maybe our Continue Reading
Save Wild Salmon Fundraiser
Written on July 9, 2018 at 5:15 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
Sea Shepherd veteran Peter Jay Brown has founded a new campaign to save wild salmon… Drop in at Mike’s Cafe and Wine Bar and show your support for Wild Salmon Preservation! Celebrate the launch of Gaia Network’s new campaign Wednesday July, 11th 5-9pm! Gaia Network was founded by Sea Shepherd Veteran Peter Jay Brown. Gaia Network’s new Continue Reading
The Land Bank Says Thank You!
Written on June 19, 2018 at 5:49 am, by Tim Dustrude
Islanders, thank you for “Getting Outdoors” and joining the Land Bank at our Zylstra Lake Preserve Open House last weekend. The response was incredible, with almost 200 visitors over the six-hour event, and on a busy June Saturday to boot! It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the property and to hear the community’s positive Continue Reading
Orca Sing 2018
Written on June 16, 2018 at 5:51 am, by Tim Dustrude
Orca Sing is an annual event where people gather for an evening of music at Lime Kiln Point State Park to honor the Southern Resident orcas. This year’s event is the 19th annual and will take place on Saturday, June 23, beginning at 7 p.m. This year, Fred West and Seattle’s City Cantabile Choir will Continue Reading
Orpha’s Lilacs Before the Bulldozer
Written on June 11, 2018 at 5:54 am, by Tim Dustrude
Those who have been reading the SJ Update for a while may recall a story from 4 years ago this month, “Before the Bulldozer“, describing how Friday Harbor resident Chinmayo saved a cherry tree that was growing on some land that was about to be bulldozed and developed for new construction. Well, she is at Continue Reading
Goldenback Trail
Written on May 27, 2018 at 5:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
National Trails Day Hike: Goldenback Trail Opens Saturday, June 2 at Westside Scenic Preserve, San Juan Island Thanks to the efforts of San Juan County Land Bank volunteers and staff, there is a new hiking trail at the Westside Scenic Preserve on San Juan Island. Join San Juan Island Preserve Steward, Doug McCutchen, and Field Continue Reading
Friends Challenges Army Corps of Engineers
Written on May 25, 2018 at 7:14 am, by Tim Dustrude
Groups Challenge Army Corps of Engineers’ Refusal to Protect Puget Sound Shorelines Corps’ Seattle District violates Clean Water Act, endangers Sound recovery SEATTLE – A lawsuit filed today against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) charges that the agency has refused to assert its Clean Water Act jurisdiction over most shoreline armoring in Puget Continue Reading
Improvements to Local Spill Response Capacity
Written on May 22, 2018 at 5:52 am, by Tim Dustrude
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance local capacity to respond to oil and hazardous materials spills, three San Juan County organizations participated in the 2018 Washington State Department of Ecology Spill Response Grant Program. This program helps local communities that are at risk for oil and hazardous materials spills secure equipment and training to Continue Reading